Southport Hockey Club – Junior Section

Information Sheet 8 – Codes of Conduct
2010 - 2011 Season

SHC Principle and Codeds of Conduct

Our principals whilst looking after your child

Southport Hockey Club has adopted a Child Protection Policy and Equity policy to ensure that the welfare and safety of children in the care or custody of Southport Hockey Club is always the primary consideration. Full versions of these are available at www.Southporthc.org

Our policies are predicated on the following three principles:

1 A child's welfare is the paramount consideration.

2 A child, regardless of age, ability, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual orientation has a right to be protected from abuse.

3 The rights, dignity and worth of a child should always be respected.

Southport Hockey club believes:

• That the safety and welfare of children should always be of paramount importance, whatever the circumstances.

• That everyone with a role in working with children has a moral and arguably a legal responsibility to safeguard and promote a child's welfare particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse.

• That special care is needed in dealing with children whose age, inexperience or physical state makes them particularly vulnerable to abuse.

• It is committed to providing an environment where children can learn about, participate in and enjoy hockey free from harassment or abuse.

Codes of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Players:

• Learn and play by the rules
• Respect coaches, team-mates, opponents, officials and their decisions.  Treat officials, as you would expect to be treated by them.
• Play for fun and enjoyment
• Be a good sport; win with modesty, and lose with dignity
• Always arrive in good time for training and matches
• Always bring and wear the correct kit including shin pads and gum shields for out field players
• Goal keepers must always be fully kitted as laid down in the rules of hockey.
• Always warm up and cool down properly
• Inform the coach or manager of any injury sustained as soon as possible during training or a match
• Always inform the coach or manager in plenty of time if you are unavailable for any match.  (preferably at least one week before a match)
• Under 18s are not permitted to smoke, consume alcohol or take drugs of any kind on the club premises, whilst travelling to away matches or whilst representing the club at competitions.

Code of Conduct for Parents/Carers/Spectators

• Encourage your child to learn the rules and play within them
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials
• Help your child to recognize team performance, not just results
• Never force your child to take part in sports
• Set a good example by recognizing fair play and applauding the good performances of all
• Never punish of belittle a child for losing or making mistakes
• Publicly accept officials’ decisions and judgements.
• Support your childs involvement and help them enjoy their sport. (please ensure that children are suitably dressed, hockey is a winter game and Greenbank can be chilly, also encourage them to bring a drink)
• Use correct and proper language at all times.
• Provide officials with emergency contact details if you are not present at the game.
• Offer to assist with driving/umpiring etc if you are able
• Parent/carers MUST accompany their children to the playing area and ensure that the officials are present and not leave until they do.

Code of Conduct for Coaches, Managers and Volunteers.

 All coaches, managers and volunteers shall comply with and promote good ethical conduct and practice.  The club is required to undergo a CRB certificate for all adults working with Children. 

In particular they will

• Arrive before children and in plenty of time to set up activities and ensure safety
• Respect the rights and worth of every person.  They must treat everybody as equals
• Ensure the Southport players respect their opponents and officials
• Put the players’ well-being and safety before the development of performance.
• Follow all guidelines laid down by England Hockey and Southport Hockey Club
• Encourage good sportsmanship and the Value of teamwork
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with players based on mutual respect and trust.
• Never exert influence to obtain personal benefit or reward
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Encourage and guide players to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and performance
• Not to use or tolerate inappropriate language
• Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances
• Ensure the activities that they direct are appropriate for the age, experience and ability of the individuals
• Promote the positive aspects of hockey (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of banned drugs
• Set a good example by displaying consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance.
• Be responsible for players in their care until they have safely left the filed of play
• Coaches must have the appropriate valid coaching qualifications and insurance cover.
• Complete the forms for CRB registration if requested to do so.